PricingWrite a translation note
The reference has a glossy reveal, a quiet pause, and very little text. Your footage shows a handmade lamp. The useful direction is not “make these identical”; it is to build toward the lamp turning on, pause on the lit result, and keep the text restrained.
A translation note connects the reference to your actual material. It tells the editor why you chose the example and which parts should survive when the subject changes.
Match the available moments
Choose source clips that can carry the setup, action, and reveal. If the reference uses a sweeping camera move and you only have still close-ups, change the approach rather than forcing a movement the footage cannot provide.
Shorty can assemble the supplied media using the brief and reference. Review the source selection and use reference material you are allowed to use. Specify whether reference audio is approved, and check the finished soundtrack before sharing.
Polish means resolving distractions
After the first version, look for the moment where attention slips. It might be a shot held too long, a title covering the object, or a reveal that happens before the viewer understands the setup. Ask for the most useful correction first.
Keep product colours and details accurate while refining the look. A dramatic treatment should not make the item misleading. The successful result is a clear short film about your material, with the reference helping the decisions in the background.
A brief to adapt to your footage
Example direction. Replace the subject, shots, and wording with your own.
Use the reference’s quiet setup and longer reveal for my lamp footage. Start with the unlit desk, show the switch, then hold the lit scene. Keep the lamp colour accurate and the text minimal. Use only the audio I have approved.